Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-02-16
JIMMY.


vile. 1t was the midday of that brief
season-the "Saint Martins Summer"
of the Frenchman-which between
November and December lends q
passing brightness to the sky and
warmth to the air. Not q flake of
snow lay on the withered grass; no
frost had yet bound the soil; only the
long howl of the gale, morning and
evening, suggested the period Of
storms. Even old settlers, those
staunch champions of the superior
days that were, owned the matchless
beauty and serenity of the season.
The desolate station hustled that
day with unusual activity. Ponies
were fastened, singly or in groups, at
the different hitching places. Men
were saddling them, loosening straps,
adjusting buckles, ordering, criticising,
chatting one another, in the reckless
fashion of the West, where they Joke
over everything, from a murder up to
an Indian raid. That the present ex-
element, however, had slighter
cause might be inferred from the
crowds unchecked and extravaganza
mirth.
They were to have started at sun
rise, and of course we're nearly ready
by noon. Having waited so long the
party moved an adjournment for din
ner. The proposition finding favor
sundry fires were kindled and the air
made fragrant with the steams from
boiling coffee and frying pork. Talk
flew back and forth, as the rough
cooks moved about. The keen wit of
the frontiers is keenest at meal times.
Dinner being dispatched, the last lott
erer was springlng to the saddle when q
looking white pony, rode up to the
group.
ssThe Lord save us!" growled tall
fellow to his neighbor. "Ef thar aim
Jimmy Rowell, always late and never
left. I'll be-blessed, eff I wouldn't
like to give the little rooster shakin'
fer his impotence"
"Don't tell him So" returned the
other, laughing shortly. "Let's ride
on, Jake"
'Not much!" said Jake, facing the
newcomer with a scoWl, meant to be
impressive.
Long Jake's scowl was calculated to
make an impression. He was g. lean,
dark-browed fellow, with skin hard
and brown as leather, deep set, keen
black eyes and q struggling black
beard. One cheek was strangely de-
formed by q long, repulsive scar, which
perhaps gave rise to the report that he
had once been O. guerrilla. He had
not been long in that district, and,
though expert in the arts of the cattle
camp, was not a. general favorite.
To Jim Rowell he had taken g. posi-
tive dislike, as cordially returned.
The two seldom met without wordy
skirmish, in which the elder was often
worsted, to the great delight OF his
comrades. Jim, with his daring spirit,
his bold, ready replies and uncommon
''smartness, was a kind of pet among
them-a position not always tending
to further his best interests.
"Well, Jim," announced Jake, sol
EMMY, "ef I'd boy with no more
sense than you've got, I'd kill him
while he was easy to Kill, that's all
What's up now?"
Nothing" retorted the boy, quiet
ly peeling his willow switch, except
that they'r going to hang you in the
morning."
A burst of laughter greeted this
speech, and the herder, turning his
horses head, rode off at full speed
Jimmy and his friends following suit
"What brought you up in such 6
hurry, young MANI" asked the stout
Jolly Al Thompson. "Did you heal
where we were going?"
"No," answered Jimmy. rathel
gloo,aily. ga little girls been lost down
our way, and they're hunting for he
everywhere. I thought somebod!
round here might have seen her
Where are all you fellows going, any
how? FAR"
"Well, I should rather jedgeso. You
know old Abe?"
''That big brindle steer 40 one Cal
catch?"
ssThe same. Tom Jenkins calls min
his'n, but / b'lieve he was with Injun
afore he come on this range. It dom
matter. He might b'long to the devil
for no fence kin stan agin him. Well
we're all agoin' to hunt him down, anC
you bet we'll have some fun"
81 wish could co." sighed Jimmy
"Come right along, then" was tn,
mans invitation, turning his bearded
face full Oh the hesitating listener
''This is the very best chance to fine
the little girl, and your folks needn't
know nothing more. Well share
grub and you kin help us along. Come
on"
"I-don't know-yes, 1 WILL" pro
nounced Jimmy, rapidly changing the
uncertain for the resolute tone, as he
started up his reluctant pony.
81 tell you what it is, Jem," said q
little Irishman in confidence, Gilman.
cially, that's the worst little horse ]
ever see."
"She'l go like thunder when she gets
started" protested the boy, much